The 2 teams which were going to clash tonight came into the match with very different intentions – Kings XI had no hope of making it to the semi finals and Mumbai Indians were just a win away from securing a berth in the semi final. However all that didn’t matter as Mumbai Indians didn’t have an answer to an inspired Kings XI unit who didn’t put a foot wrong in the entire match to snatch an easy victory and as a result have opened up the IPL standings. It is a pity that we had to wait so long to see Kings XI produce their best all-round performance of the tournament but on the brighter side they can spoil the party for some of the teams trying to guarantee a spot in the semi finals. Read more...(430 words, 1 image, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)

It was a sea of RED as it has always been at Chinnaswamy stadium but it was the team in BLUE who emerged victorious and silenced the 55,000 odd fans. Suman and Symonds engineered a victory which looked improbable. The chargers were in complete control when they bowled giving away only 92 runs in the first 14 overs but they let the game slip by giving away 92 runs in the rest of the 6 which gave Bangalore a very competitive total. Bangalore were in control giving away 112 runs in the first 14 overs but it took a calm T Suman and an aggressive Andrew Symonds to change the course of the game. With this win Deccan Chargers have kept their chances alive to reach the semi finals.Deccan Chargers Innings
Chasing 185 the Chargers were rocked early when Uthappa took a brilliant low catch to send Mishra back to the dugout for 9. However Adam Gilchrist scored a quick 30 but as usual once again he gave away his wicket trying to give charge to Kumble who produced a googly and the keeper did the rest. Rohit Sharma too threw his wicket away when he chipped one straight to dale steyn. Suman was promoted to no 3 and he didn’t disappoint his team mates as he got 78 runs from only 57 balls. He anchored the chase all along and Symonds played a brilliant knock of 53 from only 24 balls to give the Chargers a win after 5 loses. PHOTOSRead more...(377 words, 1 image, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

Delhi would have been floating in the clouds having won their last 4 games but just like an aircraft can only float in the sky until the fuel lasts, Daredevils were forced to land as they ran out of ammunition against Kolkata Knight riders. Maybe complacency cost them the game. First their bowlers could not stop the flow of runs giving away 181 and when it came to their batting they kept losing wickets regularly to give Kolkata a 14 run victory.

It was a match between two teams, whose intentions were completely different. Kings XI were playing for PRIDE and the Royals were playing for the PRIZE. Forget about pride the Kings XI were thrashed by Rajasthan Royals who were playing their first match at their home ground Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur. Set to chase a modest 157 the Royals made a mockery of the target by getting the runs with 5 overs to spare.

Super Kings needed divine help if they had to beat the table leaders and they got that in the form of the extremely hot weather in Chennai which forced Sachin to retire due to dehydration. Once he was off the field Mumbai Indians collapsed losing 6 wickets for 28 runs in 32 balls. As a result they lost the match by 24 runs, only their 2nd in 9 games. With this win Chennai have kept their hopes alive to reach the semi-finals having accumulated 10 points in as many games.

Many might say Rajasthan Royals defied all odds when they beat Deccan chargers by 2 runs in a thriller but if you actually closely look at the statistics it was no surprise. Rajasthan Royals have an amazing record of defending a 150 plus total to their credit and Deccan Chargers have the worst record at home. Deccan Chargers had a chance to put the brakes on the record held by the RR but as usual they messed it up. This is the 5th defeat on the trot making it really difficult for them to reach the semifinals. Rajasthan Royals on the other hand have kept their hopes alive by moving to the 4th spot. Read more...(643 words, 1 image, estimated 2:34 mins reading time)

Toss is a crucial factor at Delhi and tonight Gambhir won the toss and decided to bat and it was no surprise who ended up with 2 points after the match. Delhi played exceptionally well to reach 184 and their bowlers defended it comfortably despite the Royals having a glittering batting line-up. With this win Delhi have leapfrogged Bangalore to go second in the table with 12 points from nine games, while Bangalore slipped to third with ten from as many games.

Having lost 7 out of their 8 matches, Kings XI needed something special if they had to put an end to their miserable run in this IPL and Mahela did just that with an unbeaten ton 110(59) and quite deservingly hit the winning runs which stunned the Knight riders who had earlier made 200. Coincidentally Mahela Jayawardene was included in the playing XI just minutes before the match as Marsh injured himself. Perhaps it was this bit of luck which they needed to get back to winning ways.

Mumbai Indians are on a roll as they registered their 7th win in 8 matches when they crushed the Deccan Chargers by 63 runs. Rayudu and Tiwary were the stars with the bat for the Mumbai team and ensured that they got to a big total of 178 which proved to be too much for the Chargers in the end. This is the 4th consecutive loss for the Chargers putting them in a position where they need to win 5 out of the 6 matches if the defending champions want to book a semifinal berth.

Temperatures were soaring at the city of Chennai but that didn’t stop Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals to produce an enthralling contest. The crowd was treated to a run feast on a sleeping beauty. The in-form batsmen Vijay came up with an outstanding century which was studded with 8 boundaries and 11 DLF Maximums to get Chennai to a record score of 246/5. The Rajasthan Royals gave a great chase to come so close thanks to Naman Ojha and Watson but Bollinger on debut was a star performer with the ball for the Super Kings to ensure that CSK got back to winning ways. Read more...(496 words, 1 image, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)